Previously:

After explaining their journey to see the wizard, Elliot grabbed Alice's hand excitedly. "Can I come? Please?" Alice nodded, already knowing the scarecrow tagged along in the story and smiled at the hare. "Lets go!" The trio began back down the road.

"Growlll.." Alice blushed as her stomach rumbled. Should I be getting hungry in a dream? Boris and Elliot looked at her. "Uh maybe we should find something to eat." Staying close to the road, they began inspecting the trees and bushes. "Apples!" Alice bent down and began picking them up, stopping when her hand hit something hard. "What…" She looked up to see a large figure towering over her. "Ahhh!" Boris and Elliot ran over. "Alice what's..?" Boris trailed off as he looked at the man next to her. "A tin man?" Alice breathed. Standing she took a closer look. "Ace!" The creepy knight smiled down at her, his features frozen, his skin an unusual silvery color. "Ace?" She said again. The normally bouncy brunette didn't even twitch. Frowning, Alice thought back to the actual Wizard of Oz story. Dorthy found the tin man then…Aha! Peering around she spotted an oil can on a nearby stump. Briefly wondering whether or not Ace being able to move was a good thing, she grabbed it and began pouring it over him. "Hah…much better! And you're pretty too!" Ace grinned at her and flexed his fingers. "I got lost, then it started raining. I've been stuck here forever." Grabbing hold of her arms, Ace pulled her closer and wrapped Alice in a tight hug. "Uh..A-ace. I can't really…breathe." The knight didn't move, a strange expression on his face as he pressed his ear to her chest. "That sound. What is it? It's nice…" His grip relaxed a little and he smiled. "What is it?" Alice dropped her hands from where they had been pushing on his shoulders. "That's my heart," she said softly. Ace really does like it. Suddenly Ace laughed and let go. Alice turned to find Elliot pointing his gun at Ace. Not again. This same scene had played out nearly a week ago in wonderland. Visiting Hatter Mansion, Ace grabbing her, Elliot almost killing them both trying to shoot Ace, and then Blood breaking it up. "Elliot it's fine. Put that away please." Boris snickered looking amused and picked up the apples she had dropped and forgotten. Alice sighed. "It's getting late. Let's make camp."

Where did he get that tent from? Alice stared at the tin knight, not really knowing if she wanted to know the answer or not. Why did he have one anyway? She mentally shrugged and scooted closer to the fire, enjoying the warmth. Boris was curled up next to her half asleep, with his tail curled around one of her ankles. Elliot was on the other side of the fire pouting over the fact that they hadn't found any carrots in their search for food. Ace was sitting on her other side, staring at the fire and smiling. He had been humming the same song for the past half hour. "Ace? Do you think you could stop humming? Or pick another tune?" The knight grinned. "I like this song. I'd stop though maybe, if Alice would let me listen to her heart again." Elliot immediately protested and Boris gave Ace a sleepy glare. Alice flushed. I don't want him hugging me again, but can I really listen to him humming any longer? She sighed and looked over at his hopeful expression. "Just for a minute." The deep red eyes lit up and Ace leaned forward eagerly. More gently than she expected, he wrapped his arms around her and pressed his face to her chest. After a moment, he closed his eyes and sighed. "I want this," he said softly. His unexpected seriousness shocked her. "A heart?" She asked. She felt him nod against her chest. "Well you can go see the Wizard of Oz. He's gonna send Alice and Boris home. He can probably give you a heart." Elliot looked hopeful, "and I'm going to ask if he can give me a brain." Alice smiled, glancing at his ears. Oooh I wanna touch them! The firelight made them look extra soft. Tearing her eyes away she yawned. "I think we should get some rest." Prying Ace away from her (he pouted the whole time), she stretched and walked towards the tent. The guys followed and surprisingly they all fit. She found herself snuggled warmly between Elliot and Boris. A light blush crept up her face, but she ignored it and closed her eyes. Hopefully when I wake up I'll be back in Wonderland in my room at Hatter Mansion.

Weak sunlight filtered through the thin canvas of the tent. Ugh. Either Ace kidnapped me or I'm still in that story. Alice groaned and felt something heavy pressing her to the ground. Looking at her chest she was only half surprised to see a messy head of brown hair. What did surprise her was the magenta and orange heads laying on her arms. No wonder I can't feel my fingers. I wonder how long they've been using me as a pillow? Sighing she tried to wiggle out from under the three role holders. They're heavy! "Ace, Boris, Elliot wake up!" Boris stirred and Elliot sleepily nuzzled her arm. Ace was oblivious. As usual. Taking a deep breath, she upped the volume. "Wake up!" This time Boris jumped, his eyes flying open. Elliot cringed and grabbed at his ears. Ace cracked one eye open and smiled. "Uh could you guys get off me now?" Boris and Elliot both sat up immediately, blushing and murmuring apologies. Ace stayed where he was, snaking both arms around her and rubbing his cheek against her chest. Cheeks flaming Alice squirmed. "Pervert!"

One black eye and shot up tent later, they were back on the road. A large forest loomed up ahead and Alice eyed it thoughtfully. I think the lion comes in somewhere here. Thinking to herself and wondering (half dreading) who the next role holder would be, Alice allowed Boris to tug her into the dark trees. It reminds me of Joker forest, she thought as they passed brightly colored mushrooms and arrow signs placed haphazardly on the trees. "Lions and tigers and bears oh my!" She caught her self whispering. Ace heard her and laughed. "Lions and tigers and bears oh my!" He mimicked, with a silly grin. Soon the other two joined in and the woods were echoing with their voices. "Lions and tigers and bears oh my!" Suddenly something rustled nearby. "What's that?" Elliot asked softly. He and Boris drew their guns. Ace smirked, his ruby eyes glittering with a scary excitement. The sounds drew closer. Closer. "Ahhhh!"